Inclusion in Australian Public New South Wales Primary Schools: What Germany can learn from “Down Under”

Abstract

As of 2013, children with disabilities will have the right to be taught in mainstream schools. The topic of inclusion has been intensely discussed in Germany mainly with the focus on the costs that educating those with disabilities external to or within mainstream schools might rise. As German schools have social workers based in schools, the topic of inclusive educational practices in schools raises many different aspects that will be examined from a social work perspective in order to fully understand these aspects. The question of what ‘inclusion’ means in German schools, and why it is more appropriate to speak in terms of ‘inclusion’ in schools rather than ‘integration’ will be explored. It is important to note that whilst the current German concept of inclusion is not the main focus of this chapter, it will be briefly discussed and contrasted later with the Australian concept. Future recommendations on how to improve the current German system will be provided to at the end of the chapter.